The banquet is stifling.

The heavy scent of wine and fruit permeated the air, worsening the headache Mingzhu had. High ranking officials and the Emperor's closest aides filled the courtroom, some eyeing the court ladies with open lust while others drank until they were red in the face and unable to stand on their own.

If he had any say in the matter, Mingzhu would’ve preferred to be training or handling his neverending pile of paperwork instead of attending such a gathering. However, the Emperor’s word was law and no one was exempt from it, even him.

Flowing robes settled in front of his table as a court lady offered him another glass of wine. She winked, presenting the glass to him as she leaned forward, showing off her ample bosom. Mingzhu tried to decline the drink. He wasn’t interested in getting drunk or falling into the arms of another for the night. Gaze flitting around the room, he caught the eager eye of a rival official.

Ah.

Suddenly, the wine seemed much more appealing.

The court lady—squeezing into the space next to him, trailed her finger up his arm as she showered him with flattery after flattery. It seemed she was unaware of the true nature of the wine she was offering him, still attempting to push it into his hands.

Mingshu smiled.

He’ll have to thank that official later, for giving him an excuse to leave.

Taking the offered wine, Mingzhu didn’t miss the satisfied smile on the court lady’s face, clearly believing her cajoling to have won her a night and perhaps a favor from a high ranking general. Mingzhu thanked her, tilting his head back to down the entire drink all at once. Then, he stood up.

“This wine is poisoned.”

The brief moment of silence following his declaration allowed Mingzhu to properly scope out the reactions of everyone in the room—horror, joy, fear. He noted down each reaction, sorting them into those who could be his allies and those who weren’t. Once the announcement had properly sunk in, the grand hall fell into chaos as officials, now worried for their own lives, knocked over their drinks and began throwing accusations at each other. Pleased with himself, Mingzhu strode out of the banquet.

Taking the familiar route back to his quarters, Mingzhu’s steady steps began to resemble a drunkard’s, unsteady and weak. Groaning, he braced against the wall, bleary eyed and feverish.

The poison had been more potent than he thought. While it wasn’t something he couldn’t survive, the tolerance he had built up throughout his time in the inner palace effectively rendering all poisons nonlethal, he wasn’t immune to the other symptoms a poison might induce.

Stumbling towards his room, Mingzhu made out a familiar silhouette. Dressed in the simple robes of a court lady, your hair and mannerisms reminded him of the girl he had spent his childhood with. It had been his dream to marry her one day, before he was suddenly taken into the inner palace in recognition of his talents.

Reaching out, Mingzhu grabbed a hold of your sleeve, grip strong despite his rising fever.

"Please...don’t leave me."